Description
Ski Range 1,800m – 3,080m
Guaranteed snow in one of Austrias highest and best loved resorts
Obergurgl is one of Austrias most famous and most sought-after ski resorts, and deservedly so - especially for families. Set high at the end of the picturesque Ötz Valley, the village centre benefits from having no through traffic at all, and the ski area boasts an enviable snow record stretching normally from November right through until May.
The attractive Tyrolean village centre retains its traditional relaxed charm and a cosy, intimate feel, yet is big enough to offer an ample range of facilities, and a friendly après-ski atmosphere.
Child Care
NURSERY - Chalet Alpenblume
SNOW CLUB - Chalet Verwall
COCOA CLUB - Chalet Verwall
Five mornings a week, children in Esprit Sprite classes and Spritelet Snow Clubbers are collected from their hotels and chalets by our staff (and/or the ski school instructors) and taken to the appropriate slopes for their lessons or to the resort’s Snow Club for morning fun.
At the end of the morning lesson or Snow Club, children joining Supervised Lunch, afternoon Snow Club or with afternoon Sprite sessions will be collected and returned to the Chalet Alpenblume for lunch.
The Snow Club is based in Chalet Verwall with outings for their specific snow fun activities. All children in afternoon Sprites or Spritelets will be taken to and collected from their session by our staff and will join the Snow Club children for the remainder of the afternoon, before being returned to their ‘home’ chalet for high tea.
We ask that Nursery children are delivered to the Nursery by their parents. Nursery lunch will be held in the Alpenblume. Nursery children must be collected by their parents at 5pm.
All Sprite/let children will be returned to their home chalets and supervised by our staff through high tea until 6pm.
Cocoa Club runs in the Snow Club room in the Verwall from 7.30pm until 10pm on six nights a week and is available to all children from our chalets aged 6-12 years. Parents fromthe Verwall are asked to deliver and collect their children whilst our staff will collect and return from the Alpenblume.
The Skiing
FAMILIES *****
Obergurgl works wonderfully well for families. The childrens kindergarten ski area is right in the heart of the village, and transport is provided for all Esprit children to and from the slopes. For children who have progressed beyond the beginners stage, the blue runs of the Gaisberg provide the ideal area to move on to, and wide open slopes and superb snow conditions make for relaxed, enjoyable skiing.
BEGINNERS *****
The Mahdstuhl beginners lift is perfect for getting complete beginners started with confidence, and the excellent ski-school will soon have you up on the next stage of blue runs above the village.
INTERMEDIATES ****
The ski areas three main parts - Hochgurgl, Festkogl and Hohe Mut - are all interconnected, and all offer a good choice of red and blue runs, with the occasional black for those days when you feel like a challenge. With the great snow at this altitude, expertly prepared, there are miles of flattering, open cruising runs to enjoy, with a choice of "pit-stops" along the way!
ADVANCED ****
Obergurgl does not claim to be a "macho" resort for experts, but the half dozen black runs and excellent off-piste possibilities (see below) still serve to get the adrenalin flowing, and the top half of the Hohe Mut red run is renowned for its challenging moguls.
POWDER POTENTIAL *****
The snow record here is exceptional, so there is plentiful off-piste to be explored in the company of a local guide, and the more advanced ski-school groups also regularly venture off-piste to enjoy the latest snowfall.
SNOWBOARDING ***
The superb on- and off-piste snow conditions make for excellent boarding, and the big plus for all boarders, particularly those less experienced, is the wealth of gondolas and chairlifts, which enable you to cover pretty much the entire area avoiding drag-lifts altogether!
Our Esprit Ski Escort will be available at least 2 days of the week to ski with you and introduce you to the area.
Extra Information
APRÈS SKI
There is a lively atmosphere at the snow-bars and cafés as skiers finish for the day, and as you would expect in Austria, a choice of traditional après-ski activities to enjoy. ‘Nightlife’ as such however is generally pleasingly quieter, with most guests enjoying the chance to relax in their chalet or hotel.
ACTIVITIES
* Ice-skating * Curling * Snowshoe walks * Cleared winter walks * Weekly night-skiing, with a Ski Show from Obergurgl’s ski instructors * Guests’ ski races
OTHER AMENITIES
* Tourist Office * Shops * ATM * Evening ski-school show with fireworks most weeks
Snow Report
Snow reports will be available from mid-November 2010